Fireplace construction together with a heat distributor



Oct. 28, 1947. L. a, DOLLINGER FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION TOGETHER WITH A HEAT DISTRIBUTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 Filed Jan 11, 54,-:

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, INVENTOR. LEW/J L. DOLLl/VGER nrromvcv 1947- L. 1.. DOLLINGER 2,429,?

FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION TOGETHER WITH HEAT DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 11, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVDVTOR. LEW/J 4. DOLL/)YGER a r v i i 0. g a a 5 l Ii HTI'MNEY Oct L. L. DOLLINGER 25,429,748

FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION TOGETHER WIF'II'H A HEAT DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 11,' 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 28, 1947- DOLLINGER FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION TOGETHER WITH A HEAT DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 11,: 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. LEW/J L. DOLL/N657? Patented Oct. 28, 1947 FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION TOGETHER WITH A HEAT DISTRIBUTOR Lewis L. Dolllnger, Rochester, N. Y.

Application January 11, 1846, Serial No. 640,578

This invention relates to a fireplace construction as well as to a heat generator and distributor and to a smoke flue for use therewith.

The conventional brick or stone and mortar fireplace is very expensive since it requires much heaw foundation structure, large quantities of material, and much skilled labor in the construction thereof. Where the fireplace is to be constructed in a house already built, the expense is further increased since an opening must be cut in the fioor for the foundation and hearth. In

- addition to this increased expense, the nuisance of the dirt scattered in the house'by the workmen is so objectionable that a solid fuel fireplace is rarely constructed in a house already built. Eventhe building of a chimney alone is relatively expensivesince it requires the services of a skilled workman and a great amount of material. It is recognized that a conventional fireplace is a most inefficient means for heating a room since a greater part of the heat escapes up the chimney and no provision is made for circulating the heat within the room.

The present invention has for its purpose the production of' a fireplace which can be constructed at a small fraction of the cost of a conventional fireplace, and which provides greatly increased efliciency,-namely much more heat from a re-,

11 Claims. (01. 126-121) claims when taken with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the fireplace of the present invention with the closure for the combustion chamber in its open position where it is not visible;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the fireplace showing how the prefabricated part-s thereof can be assembled, the radiation chamber and the closure for the combustion chamber having been omitted;

Fig. 3 is a front viewof the fireplace with the front panel removed;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5'is a diagrammaticshowing of the arrangement for operating certain of the dampers in the heat .fiue;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the fireplace particularly showing the closure for the combustion chamber, in its lowermost position, certain of the louvers thereof being shown open;

Fig. v7 is a closure similar to that illustrated in Fig. 10 but mounted in a frame which can be moved bodily away from the combustion chamber;

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary front and side views respectively, showing the mounting in sets, of the louvers of the closure;

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a further modifled form of closure for the combustion chamher; and

which can quickly heat a room at a relatively small cost as compared to the usual fireplace which is expensive to build and although it is expensive to operate it frequently requires a supplemental source of heat if the room is to be comfortably heated. r

The main feature of the present invention relates to a prefabricated fireplace that can be quickly erected by unskilled workmen either in a house being built or in a house already built.

Another feature of the invention relates to a fireplace having a closed combustion chamber with a front closure in the form of a transparent panel.

A further feature of the invention pertains to a fireplace with an eflicient heat exchanger 00- operating with an effective heat circulating duct or ducts.

Still another feature of the invention relates to a novel combustion chamber unit that can be installed in existing fireplaces to increase the efiiciency thereof.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the detailed description and Fig. 11 is a fragmentary isometric view of a further modified form of fireplace construction. The fireplace of the present invention comprises a removable hearth in the form of a. slab of fireproof material 5 with a bottom layer 6 of asbestos or other heat insulating material so that the hearth can be supported directly on the floor of the room or on the joists as desired. It will be understood that the hearth can be made of tile and mortar on a sheet metal reinforced backing 1 (Fig. 4) to present the appearance of a conventional hearth. The hearth at its central portion has a knocked-down combustion chamber erected. thereon.

This chamber is made from a back plate 8 and side plates 8 secured together,

- fuel basket 3. basket, which is preferably combustion chamber opens into a radiation chamber R mounted on the top thereof.

The radiation chamber R can be made in manydiirerent .shapes provided it affords maximum area for the emcient exchange of heat from the flue gases within this chamber to the air surrounding it. The radiation chamber R in one convenient form, includes an elongated lower header l2 of generally rectangular cross section in plan view but its top I3 is generally V-shaped to act as a deflector whereby the flue gases are diverted toward the respective ends of this header. This radiator chamber also includes an upper rectangular header. I4 which is closed at one end and which extends lengthwise toward the rear of the fireplace to communicate with a suitable fiue. The adjacent sides of the upper header and the adjacent ends of the lower headers respectively communicate through curved tubes IS, the respective ends of which are sealed in openings in the headers as indicated.

out thatthe iron: of

the front panel, around theopen'ing 28. Grille sections 33. coextensive with thfi widths of the end and front panels, are sec ed to the top edges ofithese panels. The r'duct'e'nclosed by these several panels, is closed at its top in any Since the invention has been illustrated for use with a smoke flue F erected on theexteriorwall of the house, the rear end of the upper header I 4 is left open so that a portion l8 thereof serves as a horizontally extending smoke pipe. It will be understood that where the smoke flue F is erected within the house such as the case where it rises through a second story room, a portion of the header serving as a smoke pipe, will extend vertically. The smoke pipe It, as illustrated in Fig. 4, passes through a suitable, telescopically adjustable sleeve unit I! of metal and heat insulation material, such as asbestos. The unit I] is mounted in an opening cut in a side wall I 8 of the house.

The flue F may be made in any convenient manner such as by using hollow sections comprising an inner shell I8 and a partial outer shell 20. A bracket a is provided to attach the flue to the wall of the house. The sleeve 2| serves to join two sections of the flue together.

Thecombustion chamber and the radiation chamber are enclosed within and in spaced relasuitable manner. As herein illustrated, the air duct is closed by the mantel-section 34 which is supported in contact with the upper edges of the grille sections 33. The mantel section 34 may be provided with an overhang 33 (Fig. 4) to conceal the grille sections 33. The inner surface of the overhang can be curved as shown at 36, to deflect outward, currents of air that pass through thes grilles. A dummy chimney section 31 extends from the mantel to the ceiling, and affords further space for increasing the area of the radiation chamber, if desired.

The conventional fireplace has no practical means to control the draft to its combustion chamber, with the result that the fuel is rapidly consumed and much of the heat from the fire as well as the heat in the room where the fireplace is located, is drawn up the chimney and cold air from the outside must be drawn in through th small openings around doors and windows. In order to obviate this disadvantage, the fireplace of the present invention is provided with asubstantially closed combustion chamber having means for regulating the draft thereto. This result is achieved while leaving substantially unobscured, the view of the fire in the combustion to the inner surfaces of a fireplace shell which serves as the outside walls of a heat duct.

This shell can be readily made from a plurality of 1 panels (Fig. 2). The outside of the shell has the shape and the external appearance of a conventional fireplace. Where a more rigid construction is desired, the panels are secured around a frame 22 although the inventionis not limited to this construction. The back panel 23,

which is provided with an opening 24 to receive the smoke pipe IS with a close flt, preferably has the height and width of the finished fireplace. Theend panels 25, of desired height and width, have their rear edges attached to the respective side edges of the rear panel with asealed joint therebetween. The outside of the end panels and the front panel (to be described) can be made of thin brick and mortar secured to a metal backing. The lower edges of th end panels are secured to grilles 26 which in turn rest on the hearth.

The frontpanel 21 with a fireplace opening 28 therein, has its side edges respectively attached to the remaining side edges of the end panels with sealed joints therebetween. The lower edge of the front panel at each side of the opening,

has attachedthereto, th grilles 30 and Si, which in turn rest on the hearth. It should be pointed tion chamber, by employing a transparent front closure for this chamber. This closure may be made in various forms from fire resistant glass which is unaifected by the usual fireplace temperatures and yet the fire in the combustion chamber is clearly visible therethrough. The closure, as shown in Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 is in the form of a glass panel supported on a frame 38 to slide vertically in guides 39 at the respective sides of the fireplace opening 28. The panel, which is preferably counterbalanced by means not shown, comprises a plurality of glass louvers 40 mounted on the frame to rotate about horizontal axes from a substantially closed vertical position to an alternate open position. Adjacent louvers even in their vertical positions have their adjacent edges spaced slightly apart, as shown at H. This spacing permits a cooling current of air to pass over the inner surface of each louver to cool it and to prevent the formation of soot thereon. In accordance with this invention, the louvers serve to regulate the draft to the combustion chamber. These louvers are preferably arranged in three sets respectively located above the fire level, adjacent the fire level and at or below this level. -It will be understood that the opening of the lower set will increase combustion, while the opening of the intermediate set alone will promote normal combustion and the opening of the upper set alone will check the me. Each set of louvers includes three louvers which are simultaneously adjustable by a suitable linkage 42, such as shown most clearly in Fig. 9.

The fireplace construction described above will effectively operate by gravity to draw cold air into the room.

through grilles 26, 30 and 3| into the heat flue and after passing in heat exchange relation achieved by the addition of forced downward cirthe combustion chamher make a tight joint with the inner surface of into two parts. opening through which air is forced by the blades ll of a blower comprising the motor 46. At each end of the diaphragm there is provided an opening closed by a damper mounted on a shaft 52 to swing between its full line position and its dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 3. 'It should be mentioned that when the air is drawn in through the grilles 33 to be forced downward through the opening in the diaphragm the dampers should be in their full line position. However, when the air is to be circulated by gravity whereby it is discharged throughthe grilles 33, the dampers 5! should be raised to their dotted line position. The positioning of the dampers is accomplished by means including a. pulley 54 mounted on the rear end of a shaft 48 which is rotatable by a knob 50 (Figs. 1 and 4) accessible at the front of the fireplace. Flexible elements 58, each having one end secured to the rim of pulley 54 and its other end to the rim of a pulley 51 attached to a damper shaft operate to turn the dampers 5i.

It is important to the arrangement of the present invention that air passing through the heat flue should be filtered. For this purpose, the filters 58 and 59 are so located that all of the air passing through the heat fiue must pass through the filters also.

The modified form of closure illustrated in Fig. 7 is similar to that shown in Figs. 6, 8 and 9 but difiers therefrom by being bodily movable with respect to the fireplace. In this form the closure is provided with inturned sides and top 38a like the conventional. fender so that the closure can even be used with the usual fireplace.

In Fig. 10, there is illustrated a modified form of transparent closure for the combustion chamber. Here the closure is in the form of a pair of glass doors 60 mounted to slide horizontally.

The further modified form of the invention, shown in Fig. 11,- can utilize either a conventional fireplace or the prefabricated fireplace already described. In either case, a perforated firebox 62 is placed in the combustion chamber. This-box, which is elevated on legs, preferably conforms to the general shape of the bottom of the combustion chamber although the sides and back of the box are spaced several inches away from the walls of the combustion chamber. In accordance with this form of the invention, a

heat distributor 63, which rests on the hearth,

encloses the sides, back and top of the firebox with the margin of these parts flaring to the outside of the fireplace. The top of the distributor is provided with a smoke outlet which communicates with a smoke fiue or chimney (not shown).

What I claim is:

1. A closure for the front of a combustion chamber of a fireplace or the like, which closure comprises a support, and sets of horizontally extending transparent louvers of fireproof material respectively located aboveand adjacent the bottom of the combustion chamber, said sets of louvers being independently adjustable from a vertical closed position to an alternate open position to increase or to check, a fire in the combustion chamber, as desired, said louvers in their closed position being slightly spaced apart whereby currents of air can enter to cool the inner supported above and adjacent the bottom of,the,

combustion chamber, said sets of strips being independently adjustable from a closed position to an alternate. open position to increase or to check, a fire in the combustion chamber, as desired, said strips in their closed position being slightly spaced apart whereby currents of air can enter to cool the inner surfaces of the strips and to prevent the accumulation of soot thereon.

3. In a prefabricated fireplace construction, a hearth, side plates and a back plate secured together and to said hearth to define a combustion chamber with a, front opening and a flue opening therein, means including a smoke fiue communicating with said fiue opening, and means including connected front and side panels enclosing a substantial part of said combustion chamber but spaced from a material portion of the combustion chamber to define therewith an air duct, said front panel having an opening therein registering with the open front of the combustion chamber, the edges of said panel and said combustion and transparent members adjustable in said guides to open and close said front opening, said members comprising transparent louvers spaced a small distance apart from each other, certain of which are independently adjustable with respect to the others for the purpose of controlling the draft to said combustion chamber.

4. A prefabricated fireplace made of parts fasten'ed together and comprising a hearth, a mantel, and normally exposed panels defining a hollow space, at least the exposed faces of said panels being made to simulate the appearance of a fireplace, the front portion of the fireplace having a relatively large fireplace opening therein, and means forming a combustion chamber within said space and spaced from said panels, said means comprising a fireproof back and side sections defining an opening registering with the fireplace opening, said sections together with said panels defining an enclosed air duct, a radiation chamber within said space and communicating with said combustion chamber, a fiue communicating with said radiation chamber, the fireplace being provided at the exposed part thereof with ports communicating with said air duct at different levels above the hearth, and a diaphragm extending across said duct at a point between said ports whereby said duct is divided into two parts, said diaphragm having an opening therein leading into the two parts of the duct, and means including a motor driven fan for circulating air through the duct and through said opening and said ports.

5. A prefabricated fireplace made of parts fastened together and comprising a, hearth, a mantel, and panels defininga hollow space, at least 7' from saidg panels, said means having a fireproof back and side sections defining an opening registering with the fireplace opening, said sections together with said panels defining an enclosed air duct, a radiation chamber within said space and communicating with said combustion chamher, a fiue communicating with said radiation chamber, the fireplace being provided at the exposed part thereof with ports communicating with said air duct at different levels above the hearth, and a diaphragm extending across said duct at a point between said ports whereby said duct is divided into two parts, said diaphragm having a fan opening and a vent therein both leading into the two parts of the duct, a motor driven fan for circulating air from the upper part of the duct to the lower part thereof as well as through the fan opening and said ports, and a damper for closing said vent while said fan is operating and for opening said vent when said fan is not operated whereby gravity-effected circulation can take place through the duct and gether with said panels defining an enclosed air duct, a, radiation chamber within said space and communicating with said combustion chamber, a flue communicating with said radiation chamber, the fireplace being provided at the exposed part thereof with openings communicating withsaid air duct, one of said openings being located adjacent the hearth and theother opening'being located under the mantel, said mantel being provided with an overhanging portion to conceal said last-mentioned opening.

7. In a prefabricated fireplace construction, a

separate hearth, separate side plates and a separate back plate secured together and to said hearth to define, when assembled, a combustion chamber with a front opening and a flue opening,

therein, means including a smoke fiue communicating with said flue opening, and means including separate, connectible prefabricated mantel means, front and side panels spaced from the corresponding combustion chamberelements and enclosing a substantial part of said combustion chamber and defining therewith an air duct, said panels being exposed when erected and being constructed to simulate the shape and appearance of a conventional fireplace, said front panel having an opening therein alined with the open front of the combustion chamber, the edges of said latter panel and said combustion chamber at said openings being connected together, certain of said panels having openings therein spaced at diiferent levels and communicating with said duct to afford air circulation therethrough.

8. In a prefabricated fireplace construction, a separate hearth, separate side plates and a separate back plate secured together and to said hearth to define, when assembled a combustion chamber with a front opening and a flue opening therein, means including a smoke flue communicating with said fiue opening, and means including separate, connectible prefabricated mantel means, front and side panels spaced from the corresponding combustion chamber elements and en closing a substantial part of said combustion chamber and defining therewith an air duct, said panels being exposed when erected and being constructed to simulate the shape and appearance of a conventional fireplace, said front panel having an openinng therein alined with the open front of the combustion chamber, the edges of said latter panel and said combustion chamber at said openings being connected together, certain of said panels having openings therein spaced'at different levels and communicating with said duct to afford air circulation therethrough, and guides located at the junction of said combustion chamber with said front panel, and transparent members adjustable in said guides to open and close said front opening, said members each comprising transparent strips, certain of which strips are independently adjustable with respect to the others for the purpose of controlling the draft to said combustion chamber,

9. In a prefabricated fireplace construction, a

separate hearth, separate arate back plate secured side plates and a septogether and to said hearth to define, when assembled, a combustion chamber with a front opening and a flue opening therein, means including a smoke flue communicating with said fiue opening, and means includ"- ing separate, connectible prefabricated mantel means, front and side panels spaced from the corresponding combustion chamber elements and enclosing a substantial part of said combustion chamber and defining therewith an air duct, said panels being exposed when erected and having attached to the exposed faces thereof bricks laid in mortar to simulate the appearance of a conventional fireplace, said bricks having the face dimensions of conventional bricks but having'a greatly reduced thickness, said front panel having an opening therein alined with the open front of the combustion chamber, the edges of said latter panel and said combustion chamber at said openings being connected together, certain ofsaid panels having openings therein spaced at different levels and communicating with said duct to afford air circulation therethrough.

10. In a prefabricated fireplace construction, a separate hearth, separate side plates and a separate back plate secured together and to said hearth to define, when assembled, a combustion chamber with a front opening and a fiue opening, means including a smoke flue communicating with said flue opening, means including separate, con nectible prefabricated mantel means, front and side panels spaced from the corresponding combustion chamber elements and enclosing a substantial part of said-combustion chamber and defining therewith an air duct, and means forming a radiationchamber within said duct and communicating with said combustion chamber, a

flue communicating with said radiation chamber, said panels being exposed when erected and being constructed to simulate the shape and appearance of a conventional fireplace, said front panel having an opening therein alined with the open front of the combustion chamber, the edges of said latter panel and said combustion chamber at said openings being connected together,'certain of said panels having openings therein spaced at different levels and communicating with said duct to afford air circulation therethrough. I

. 11, In a prefabricated fireplace construction, a separate hearth, separate side plates and a separate back plate secured together and to said hearth to define, when assembled, a combustion chamber with a front opening and a flue opening therein, means including a smoke flue communicating with said flue opening, and means including separate, connectible prefabricated mantel means, front and side panels spaced from the corresponding combustion chamber elements and enclosing a substantial part of said combustion chamber and defining therewith an air duct, said panels being exposed when erected and being constructed to simulate the shape and appearance of a conventional fireplace, said front panel having an opening therein alined with the open front of the combustion chamber, the edges of said latter panel and said combustion chamber at said openings being connected together, certain of said panels having ports therein spaced at different levels and communicating with said duct to afford air circulation therethrough, and a diaphragm extending across said duct at a point between said ports whereby said duct is divided into two parts, said diaphragm having a fan opening and a vent therein both leading into the two parts of the duct, a motor drivenfan for circulating air from the upper part of the duct to the lower part thereof as well as through the fan opening and said ports, and a damper for closing said vent while said fan is operating and for opening said vent when said fan is not operated whereby gravity-effected circulation can take place through the duct and ports.

LEWIS L. DOILINGER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS I Number Number 30 337,037 188,207

Name Date Johnston Apr, 28, 1914 Reuter-Lorenzen Feb. 23, 1926 Richter May 15, 1928 Miles Aug. 28, 1928 Cage Mar. 1, 1938 Heinz Dec. 3, 1940 Kraus -1 Sept. 22, 1942 Dollinger Oct. 5, 1943 Homer Apr, 13, 1937 Schmitt Sept. 14, 1897 Poling Oct. 9, 1923 Rome June 1, 1897 Stadtfeld 1 Apr. 6, 1937 Risdon Dec. 30, 1930 Byrne Mar. 19, 1929 Cage Jan. 8, 1935 Baruch et a1 July 28, 1936 Merryweather et a1. Apr. 9, 1946 Jain Dec. 8, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 27, 1930 France Jan. 18, 1888 

